Daily Roman History:

Next Caligula fact

For Romans military victory was essential to legitimacy. Since Caligula had none to speak of one day he ordered some legions to the north of Gaul (modern France) with him leading the army. The thought was they were going to cross the English Channel and try and secure land in Britannia. However, when they arrived he ordered his men to collect sea shells from the beaches, claiming that this was a victory over Neptune, God of the Sea. He went so far as to throw himself a triumphal parade back in Rome with the shells displayed as trophies of the conquest.

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